Vergil Ortiz Jr. Reveals the Moment He Realized He Could Beat Terence Crawford

Vergil Ortiz Jr (16-0) has taken gigantic steps in his five-year-long active career. Now, he will step up to fight Maurice Hooker for the vacant WBO (International) welterweight title on March 20. Meanwhile, the 22-year-old seems ready for the bigger challenges ahead and has set his sights on the WBO franchise champion, Terence Crawford.

Terence Crawford, 37-0, is already an elite at the 147 lbs division and is way ahead of Vergil Ortiz Jr. at this point. But Ortiz Jr. is still targeting the fight. Unlike most call-outs, the rising youngster hasn’t demeaned ‘Bud’. Instead, he has admired the WBO champion’s achievements, before posing the challenge from his end.

He connected with DAZN Boxing and revealed the time he realized that he was ready to go against the best in ‘Bud’ Crawford.

 “Maybe like two years ago, I didn’t think so. You know Crawford no, he is on the top of his game, even now. Maybe within like 2020, you know, we obviously really got to think with ourselves in that year. Because we couldn’t do anything else and I was training. I am still getting better in the ring, whether I am fighting or not,” said Vergil Ortiz Jr.

However, many may argue that Errol Spence Jr. or Manny Pacquiao will fare better against Crawford. That said, Ortiz Jr. doesn’t see the Spence Jr. fight happening and Pacquiao is yet to reveal his return.

Vergil Ortiz Jr. said, “And I don’t know, I just think as the days go on, it just started being clear and clear. You know the Errol Spence fight is not going to happen anytime soon. So, maybe the Crawford fight is the way to go.”

Read More | Do You Need to Be a Good Businessman to Succeed in Boxing? Floyd Mayweather Tells the Truth

Vergil Ortiz Jr.- Ticket to the elite club

Ortiz Jr. has already proven his worth by unleashing 16 KOs in 16 fights. But a win against Hooker can be his trip to the bigger names. Starting from Manny Pacquiao, to Errol Spence Jr. and many more, there are umpteen challenges ahead for him.

He is still a new name in the sport but has created headlines with incredible showdowns. Although he might take a few more years to appear against Terence Crawford, his upcoming performances would hold him in good stead to secure the huge bout.

Do you think Vergil Ortiz Jr. will remain undefeated?

Read More | Mike Tyson, Henry Cejudo, and Canelo Alvarez Assess Ben Askren’s Chances Against Jake Paul